What are the 5 Ps of labor?

These three “P”s are then superimposed as such, over a plotted half-century-old labour standards called the Friedman curve, to ensure “Failure to Progress” does not dictate the need for caesarean-section.

Refreshingly more recently, textbooks are finally beginning to mention the fourth “P”, termed Psyche. That is, the woman’s expectations of the birthing process, and how her anxiety can lengthen labour. It is the rather belated acknowledgement that empowered knowledgeable confidence in her own body’s ability; the positive support of caring birth assistants; a calm holistic labour room environment; and receptive approachable midwifery-obstetric healthcare staff, are collectively and fundamentally extremely influential on reducing a woman’s overwhelming fears which can negatively interfere in labour progress.

However, there is a fifth “P” which needs mention. And that is, Preparation. Yes, without doubt it is possible to prepare positively in every way feasible, and still result in a highly interventionalised labour with surgical delivery. Yes, you could “do everything right”, and it still “go all wrong” … the difference is, with preparation, it’s simply more likely, it will “go all right”.

So if you wish to improve your chances of natural birth, then – without project managing your own pregnancy to the point of stressful obsession – it’s about embracing the holistic mindset from the get-go. However, if you’re only 10 weeks pregnant and already adamant an Epidural is the only option you’ll consider, then we’d say either do so and do it guilt-free (this is your labour, and you must do what is right for you); or fully investigate the multiple other options to ensure your decisions are genuinely informed.

Popular aspects of the Fifth “P” Preparation can include:
• Attending childbirth education classes, knowing they are simply an introductory overview – and you need to do more “homework”
• Read great books on labour and birth, with personal favourites including Ina May Gaskin’s “Guide to Childbirth”, Janet Balaska’s “New Active Birth” and my “Oh Baby” book’s chapter on Childbirth
• Block your ears to listening to the copious negative childbirth “horror” stories girlfriends may wish to share – it does nothing to build confidence
• Attend Preggy Yoga classes
• Learn the meditative labour practice of Hypnobirthing
• Receive antenatal care from a maternity Acupuncturist
• Receive antenatal care from a naturopathic medical herbalist who will prescribe cervical-uterine preparatory remedies such as Nature’s Sunshine “5W” and Evening Primrose Oil

It’s about getting pro-active. It’s about lining up all your ducks-in-a-row to give the best chance possible of experiencing a non-interventionalised normal natural birth – knowing this too, is also actually best for your baby. It’s about knowing you did everything in your power, so later no mother-guilt need ever persist, regardless of the delivery outcome. Or, it’s about standing your ground that your perception of such preparation is bohemian mother-earth hippy claptrap, and not for you, and you’re okay with that, full-stop.

The thing you need to avoid – like the plague – is an unintended lack of preparation, resulting in enabling an aching, decaying cavity of regret to ever be able to form. It’s about protecting your spirit.

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For nearly a year you’ve been eating healthy, visiting your OB-GYN, attending childbirth classes and preparing for the arrival of your new family member. You’ve no doubt spent a lot of time waiting and wondering, which inevitably makes the delivery day truly special when it arrives.

But there are some perspectives on labor and delivery that you may not have considered. Have you ever heard of the three P’s of labor? What about the four P’s, or even the five P’s?

The three P’s are passenger, passage and power. The two extra P’s stand for psyche and preparation.

Let’s take a look.

Passenger

If you’re pregnant, obviously you’re carrying a baby. So the P in this instance—passenger—refers to your baby.

And your baby needs to be in the most ideal position for birth.

How so? A baby who arrives breech—meaning butt- or feet-first—will need to be born via Cesarean section. Very few doctors will perform a vaginal delivery with a breech baby.

The earlier your baby is born, the greater the chance he or she will arrive in a breech position. Keep in mind this is just a greater chance. One of my children, delivered at 32 weeks, was born vaginally in a head-down position.

Statistically, 25% of babies born at 28 weeks are born breech, but only about 10% of babies born at week 34 are born breech. Only 3-4% remain in a breech position when mom reaches full term.

The left occiput anterior position, often called the LOA position, is one of the best positions for delivery. This is when the baby is head down, facing the mom’s back—essentially looking between the spine and right hip of mom. The baby’s back is on the left side of mom. This position helps the baby fit best through the narrowest part of the pelvis.

Another ideal position is occiput anterior, often called OA, which is when the baby is facing directly toward mom’s spine.

Passage

The passenger needs a passage—in this case, the pelvis.

The male pelvis and the female pelvis are quite different. The female pelvis is larger and broader than the male’s. The female pelvis is also oval shaped while the male pelvis is more of a heart shape.

More importantly, the female pelvis has a larger inlet that provides space for the baby to emerge. The ligaments in a pregnant woman’s pelvis will stretch because of the hormone relaxin. This allows for a slight separation in the front of the pelvis, making room for baby.

About 1 in 300 pregnant moms may experience symphysis pubis dysfunction, which is when the ligaments stretch too much. Usually at the beginning of pregnancy the OB provider will check the size of the mom’s pelvis. Only if there is a problem will a practitioner inform mom about any findings.

Power

Power refers to contractions, or waves. The tightening of the uterus helps move the baby down through the birth canal. It’s a natural process that’s needed for the birth of the baby.

During labor, we look at the duration and strength of the contractions, as well as how close together they are. This can be assessed by a fetal monitor or intermittent fetal monitoring. The only way to assess the strength—unless an intrauterine catheter is used—is by palpation, or feeling the uterus during a contraction.

Psyche

This refers to the mom’s mental preparation and her readiness for delivery. Giving birth is a tremendous physical event, but it’s also a huge mental undertaking. You can and should start preparing yourself mentally.

Preparation

Moms and their partners and families prepare for the arrival of the baby in a multitude of ways—showers, gift-giving, prepping the baby’s room, shopping for car seats and strollers and so on.

What is the 5th stage of labor?

The fourth period then reflected the active expulsion of the baby, while the fifth referred to what is now commonly known as the third stage of labour, i. e. the period between birth and delivery of the placenta.

What are the 3Ps of labor?

A labor stall is defined by all three measurements of labor progress (dilation, effacement, and station) no longer changing. If there is a stall, consider the 3Ps: passage, passenger, and power.

What are 4 stages of labor?

First stage: Dilation of the cervix (mouth of the uterus) Second stage: Delivery of the baby. Third stage: Afterbirth where you push out the placenta. Fourth stage: Recovery.

What are the phases of labor?

That said, unless things are cut short by a C-section, all women go through three precise stages of labor and childbirth: labor itself (which includes early labor, active labor and transitional labor), pushing and delivering the baby, and delivering the placenta.